Conjoined Twins - c.1895 French Handbill For The “Grand Cirque de la Femme à Deux Têtes”

Printed by Fournier-Frantin in Le Havre, a handbill advertising viewing of the unnamed conjoined twins (though highly likely to be the sisters Josefa and Rosa Blažek, 1878 - 1922) in two separate viewings, the first for 3 hours, the second for eight hours. It exclaims “Elle chante, danse et marche avec deux et aver quatre pieds”. Blank reverse.

Rosa and Josefa Blažek were born in Skrejšov, Bohemia in January 1878, and were pygopagus (joined at the posterior) As they were joined at a thoracic vertebra, there was no possibility of separation. Their mother took them to Paris when they were 13 and this is when they began their career in professional exhibition. They saw this as an opportunity to leave Bohemia permanently so hired a manager and learnt to sing, dance and play the xylophone to paying audiences. They toured Europe during the 1890’s and entertained crowds with their violin duets. Their popularity waned in the early 1900’s until Rosa gave birth to a little boy in 1910 amid much speculation about the father (thought to be their manager), and the little boy also joined the travelling show. Their final days were mired in controversy and mystery regarding Rosa’s son and a brother called Frank who seems to have appeared out of nowhere at the time of their deaths. 

Approx. 122x160mm., old light folds and minor grime, though overall in very good condition.